Chapter 9 Alcohol and Other Drugs

Drug Drug – any chemical substance that affects the mind or body Drugs and Culture –Perception of drugs vary from society to society –Definition of drugs change over time

Drug Use Use of selected drugs in the past 30 days by those 12 years and older ( ) –Alcohol – 50-60% –Cigarettes – 30-40% –Marijuana – 5-15% –Cocaine – Less than 5% –Hallucinogens – Less than 5% (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006)

Reasons for Drug Use 1.Therapeutic uses. 2.Recreational uses. 3.Spiritual or psychological use. 4.Escape 5.Social conformity

Drug Abuse Drug abuse – use of any illegal substance or the use of a legal substance in a way that violates accepted medical practice Addiction – physical or psychological craving for a drug Dependency – state in which a person’s body has adjusted to regular use of a drug

Types of Drugs Stimulants – drugs that increase alertness, changing a person’s mood by increasing energy –Caffeine –Nicotine –Ritalin –Cocaine and Crack –Amphetamines Depressants – drugs that slow the operation of the central nervous system –Analgesics –Sedatives and Alcohol –Antipsychotics

Types of Drugs Hallucinogens – distort sensory perceptions (LSD, “ecstasy”, etc) Cannabis – sense of euphoria and relaxation (marijuana, hashish) Steroids – build muscle and strength Prescription Drugs

Drugs and Other Social Problems Family Life – codependency, parental addiction, child neglect, family violence Health Problems - damage organs and influence malnutrition Homelessness – drug and alcohol use common Crime – violent offenders under the influence Global Poverty – illegal drugs as a source of needed income

Response to the Drug Problem Strategies –Interdiction – stopping the movement of drugs across the country’s borders –Prosecution –Education –Treatment War on Drugs Decriminalization – removing current criminal penalties that punish the manufacturing, sale, and personal use of drugs

Theoretical Analysis Structural-Functional –Drugs help and harm order of society Social-Conflict –Drug problems are linked to social inequality Symbolic-Interaction –Variable meanings attached to drug use